NACC Cautions Gen Buhari Over Appointment of Questionable Persons

By Ogah Simeon, Abuja

President-elect, General Buhari has been cautioned to be wary of persons whose track records in service has been questionable overtime due to the lip-service of government in tackling corruption in the country. This according to the group has become necessary in light of the low credibility ratings of the out-going administration by both international and local players that corruption starts with the appointment of unscrupulous elements into government.

The group, National Advocacy Crusade Centre,[NACC] through its Executive Secretary, Olayinka Alao, in a statement, decried the high level of corruption in the country and warned that if drastic measures are not taken to curb systemic corruption which starts with the appointment of unqualified persons into sensitive positions the country may be plunged into recession.

The group particularly made reference to the Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Ms Folake Itohan, revealing that there are stealth moves by Folake to influence her appointment as MD of the Bank, having fraudulently risen to the top without due process.

The group further revealed that she courted one Alhaji Ibrahim Imam who is perceived to have high-powered links within the President-elect camp to deliver her into the office of Managing Director but was turned down and warned that they might be others in the society close to the 'Mr. Integrity' not by principle and urged the fearless anti-corruption crusader cum President to be vigilant to avoid anyone from smuggling her on board through dubious means.

The statement said that she agreed to pay N200million to him to work around her appointment. It was also revealed that she promised to make monthly remittance of N10million to Alhaji Imam if she is given the appointment.

The group expressed curiosity over her position as Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, saying that her appointment in the first place did not meet up to the basic requirement, adding that the process was not transparent and lacked merit, but rather was handpicked for such a top job by the powers that be, throwing merit, integrity and competence to the wind. This source confirmed from NEXIM bank through one source that has caused institutional damages to the system as it has become the duty of her subordinates to groom and nurture her just to meet up with the technical aspects of the job which she is acquired through the back door.

"Our checks also revealed that her appointment was in total violation of the CBN rules and regulations for appointment into executive positions of banks that candidates must have risen to the level of Assistant General Manager before he or she could be seconded to the top for any reason. However, in Salami's case her contacts in high places was just enough to add up and one begins to wonder when such would end as God has given Nigeria a new President."

Olayinka however, called on the “president-elect, Gen Buhari to look into her appointment and possibly revert her to her former position as Manager, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as she has not performed well enough to earn her present posting, instead abused her office by engaging in unethical and unprofessional conduct."

He further urged “the incoming government to immediately take decisive action against corrupt elements within the corridors of power that has continually drained the economy of the country through dubious activities.”